Mazda CX-7 – The Sports Crossover SUV
Monday, July 30th, 2007Mazda is about to shake up the European SUV segment with the Mazda CX-7; a crossover vehicle that combines high- performance power, a sporty design, SUV functionality and comfort in a single, fun to drive car. Add a long list of standard equipment, and the Mazda CX-7 is the ideal vehicle for a sporty and active lifestyle. Developed out of the acclaimed MX-Crossport concept car shown at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show, the CX-7 was launched in spring last year in the USA and last December in Japan. It now comes to Europe and enters the booming SUV segment, which has seen sales increase by 108 percent since 2001 (compact non-premium SUV segment).
Design – Sports Car Genes
The Mazda CX-7 has a truly sporty character with a large lower air intake and a small upper grille framed in powerful press lines that rise up and over the bonnet for a strong and sophisticated look. The silhouette is dominated by an aggressively raked windscreen angle that (at 66°) is sportier than many sports cars. This is combined with a sweeping roofline, kick-up belt line and large, powerful fenders over 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/60 R18 tyres, for an aggressive road stance. At the back, the sporty theme continues with two large bore tailpipes and detailed round tail lamps. Major items specific for the European version include a newly-designed front bumper, headlight washer, front and rear fog lamps and rear mud flaps.
This sporty and athletic exterior design also delivers superior aerodynamic performance that contributes to straight-line, high speed stability and low wind noise. The side shapes of the front bumper, the rear side corner, the A-pillar, the door mirrors and the roof’s rear-end lip have forms that reduce aerodynamic drag and control air swirl along the sides and at the back of the vehicle. Underbody airflow is optimised as well, with a front lip spoiler, front and rear flow deflectors ahead of each tyre, a large undercover for the engine bay, a side sill garnish, and an optimised position for the rear silencer. The result of these numerous measures is an excellent Cd value of only 0.34.
On the inside, the Mazda CX-7 is a mix of sportiness, SUV roominess, comfort and practicality, carried out with craftsmanship and quality. Large, specially designed seats and a flexible rear seat/boot configuration deliver SUV comfort and practicality. A sporty driving position, ergonomic cockpit and centre console-mounted shift lever for the six-speed manual transmission (Europe only) make driving the CX-7 and exploiting it’s high-performance 2.3 litre DISI* turbo petrol engine, easy and fun. A sporty feel is delivered by various interior design features including a flowing line in the trim extending from the front to the rear of the vehicle that integrates the whole cabin visually, a double-roof instrument panel design, a speedometer scaled to 240 km/h and a standard leather steering wheel and shift knob.
* DISI = Direct Injection Spark Ignition
Comfort, Versatility & Equipment – Performance Feel and Practicality
The 1,645 mm tall Mazda CX-7 has typical SUV comfort and functionality, with a high seating position for all passengers. When all seats are upright, the boot area has a volume of 455 litres. The 60:40 split rear seats can be folded using Mazda’s unique Karakuri system by simply pulling a latch in the rear trim. With the rear seats down, a flat load floor is created with 1,348 litres of load space to the ceiling. There is even a reversible boot floor for hauling soiled items, along with plenty of interior storage compartments placed around the cabin. One or two trim grades will be available, depending on individual market, both featuring a long list of standard equipment. For mid-grade vehicles, standard equipment includes one-touch power windows, central locking, cruise control, radio-CD player (with MP3 capability) and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. High grade vehicles have leather seats and door trim plus front seat heating. Available as well on the high grade is a spectacular Bose® premium audio system with nine speakers, a six-CD changer and a Centerpoint® surround sound system, xenon lights with an auto light and rain sensor wiper system, and Mazda’s Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System (depending on market).
CX-7 also features excellent NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) performance . It has special engine technologies combined with multiplex layer sound absorption insulation for the dash panel to lower engine noise and reduce the transmission of powertrain vibration. Exterior components have been optimised for low wind noise and special tyres for Europe are introduced for reduced road noise. These are combined with ample amounts of foam filling material in the body frame and an enhanced door sealing system for a comfortable interior ambiance while driving.
Powertrain – Heart of a Mazda Performance Series Model
Under the bonnet of the new Mazda CX-7 is the high- performance MZR 2.3-litre direct-injection turbo petrol with intercooler, which is also used by the sporty ?agship models Mazda6 MPS and Mazda3 MPS. In this latest guise, it produces maximum power of 191 kW/260 PS at 5,500 rpm and a maximum 380 Nm of torque at just 3,000 rpm, resulting in a 0-100 km/h time of 8.0 seconds , one of the segment’s best, and a top speed of 210 km/h. With its light, stiff body shell, plus Mazda’s Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive system for superior traction and a specifically adapted six-speed manual transmission for Europe, the Mazda CX-7 delivers levels of Zoom-Zoom driving fun not usually found in an SUV this comfortable and practical.
Chassis & Safety – Driving Fun with no Concessions
Mazda CX-7 is based on a new platform, with a 2,750 mm wheelbase. Its body shell is strong and stiff, with optimised local and overall rigidity, which is a main contributor to precise steering, handling stability and suspension control.
The European version is even more rigid thanks to extensive development by Mazda Motor Europe’s R & D team (based near Frankfurt, Germany) which ensured that it meets the high expectations of European customers. Mazda CX-7 employs a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension that is tuned to give high rigidity for sporty, agile handling, minimal noise and high driving comfort.
This suspension system is combined with Mazda’s unique Active Torque-Split All-Wheel Drive system to ensure that CX-7’s 380 Nm of maximum torque can be exploited in a smooth and controllable way. The system distributes the torque between the axles (from 100/0 percent to 50/50 percent, front/rear) for just the right amount in every driving situation.
State-of-the-art active and passive safety systems round out the new Mazda CX-7’s outstanding package of attributes. It has large diameter 320 mm ventilated front and 302 mm ventilated rear disc brakes for dependable deceleration, backed up with ABS, EBD, Emergency Brake Assist, DSC and TCS as standard on all models. CX-7’s rigid bodyshell is based on Mazda’s ‘Triple-H’ bodyshell design and delivers high levels of crash safety. On the inside there is a front seat/head restraint design that helps protect the neck and chest in case of rear impact, six airbags, front seat belts with pretensioners and load-limiters and a collapsible brake pedal – to reduce the chance of leg injury in a frontal impact. Also onboard are ISOFIX child safety seat mounts and tethers in the rear seat, and pillar trim with energy absorbing ribs.
